Straight Ahead Funk

Danny Cox : Hot Down In Chile
taken from the album "Feel So Good" on Casablanca (1974)

Maze ft. Frankie Beverly : Time Is On My Side
taken from their self-titled album on Captiol (1977)

Jimmy Castor Bunch : Potential
taken from the album "Butt Of Course..." on Atlantic (1974)

Parliament : The Motor-Booty Affair
taken from the album "Motor Booty Affair" on Casablanca (1978)

Sometimes I have to remind myself to return to the basics. I look back on the days when I was just starting to search for dancefloor firecrackers, and although I didn't know much about the breadth of the world's musical pyrotechnics, I could tell what was fun to dance to. Funk provided a perfect starting point. The motivation behind the music may be quite straightforward- feel good, get loose, laugh a little- but the syncopated interplay between the different sounds reflects a complexity uncomprehendible. Jagged ups and downs pull the song in different directions at once. Guitar darts away from clavinet while both twist and bend through the manipulations of a bobbing foot pedal. Whether the singer is speaking about South American politics or a bootylicious femme, there's an equal sense of humor and intense urgency. Goofy, absurd, cartoonish voices lead into epic screeches and grunts delivered from the bottom of the belly where rawness resides. To me, funk was never simply the soundtrack to Soultrain and blaxploitation films; it always held the potential for transcendence. Listening to some of my old favorites today (check the breakdown at the end of Motor-Booty!) I'm reminded of just how close I can get to heaven on Earth.

Feeling Generous

West African Cosmos : Emeraude
taken from their self-titled album on Marginal / CBS (1976)

Sombory-Jazz : Nananina and
Quintette Guineenne : Douga
taken from the album "Musique Sans Paroles" on Syliphone (1974)

I'm pulling out some of my rare-ish business today. None of these songs have been reissued, compiled or even bootlegged to my knowledge. This is the kinda music that I might normally be a be hesitant to post (even I get a bit protective/possessive sometimes), but lucky for you I'm feeling particularly generous. On Monday, when I arrived at the radio station to host my weekly show, I found two bags with my name on them- FILLED with great records from around the world. African, Brazilian, Arabic, Japanese... All donated by an anonymous music lover! If you're out there reading this, shoot me an e-mail so I can properly thank you. For the rest of you, enjoy this music that I spent more that a few minutes looking for, and spent more than a few dollars acquiring. And give some of your favorite songs to a friend to keep up the good Karma.

I don't know much about the Senegalese fronted West African Cosmos, but there's a bit of personelle info here at the bottom of the page. Another song on this album, "Wuye Wuye", was compiled on the Strut collection Club Africa 2. Fuzz guitar, rhodes piano, and echoed out vocals work really well together.

I am also short on info about this Musique Sans Paroles ("music without words", I think) collection. Featuring a wide range of instrumental music, from traditional songs to more cutting edge wah-wah afro-fusion tunes, it sounds like a syliphone library album that may have been marketed towards film/TV/radio producers. There's really no information on the groups featured here except little credits on the label, so if you know more than me please share the wealth.

Slowin' Down

Joe Bataan : What Good Is A Castle (Parts 1 & 2)
taken from the album "Riot!" on Fania (1968)

Zap Pow : Sunshine People
taken from the 12" on Wham-Pac (1980)

Cheif Stephen Osita Osadebe : Egwu Ani
taken from the album "Osadebe In 80's" on Polygram (1980)

I blame Summer for my lack of posts. It's awfully hard to sit in front of my computer (in my very hot and stuffy office/studio) when it's a sunny 88 degree day and there are three free concerts to choose from and my friends are in town and there's a BBQ grill getting hot and an astro-pop waiting to stick to my tongue. That's why I've been negligent. Everything is slowing down here in New York. Fine by me. Time to let the tempo drop as the songs stretch out and simmer a while. I'll post some more music soon, but I've been giving priority to swimming and snoozing in the park.

Joe Bataan you should really know by now. But if somehow you've missed his music, I suggest you go out immediately and pick up his entire catalogue. Seriously, no duds (except maybe his album called "II" from '81). "What Good..." is a soul song that really captures the feeling of hot New York City nights with people on the streets and mini-drama unfolding everywhere - for me at least.

Zap-Pow, fronted by singer Beres Hammond, brings us this perfect summer bounce tune (with the extended dub in the middle for maximal chilling). Can't resist that hook can you?

And what heat wave would be complete without a bit of Juju/Highlife? Slinky percussion and watery guitar licks turn a muggy afternoon into a pleasant delirious trance. I'm not sure about the rest of Osadebe's catalogue, but this recent aquisition has stayed on my turntable all week. I know the trumpet sounds a little off-key when it first comes in, but give it a minute, the player finds the pocket four bars in.